Backup Gen Brownout Detection Level too Low?

[richwaskowitz]

Can anyone explain to me why a particular major residential backup generator manufacturer sets their automatic transfer switch to hang in until line voltage dips below 60%????? Isn't that awfully low? When I installed a 20 kW unit to backup our IT department at the office and I found this out, I added a programmable Siemens voltage detection relay to cut out at 90%. Am I the only one concerned about this? Do other manufacturers have similar settings?

 

[qcroanoke]

Can anyone explain to me why a particular major residential backup generator manufacturer sets their automatic transfer switch to hang in until line voltage dips below 60%????? Isn't that awfully low? When I installed a 20 kW unit to backup our IT department at the office and I found this out, I added a programmable Siemens voltage detection relay to cut out at 90%. Am I the only one concerned about this? Do other manufacturers have similar settings?

residential backup generator is a good reason for it. Homes wont be as affected as an IT department would be by a brownout.
I'm more surprised it's not adjustable.

 

[richwaskowitz]

I too was surprised to find out that there is no adjustment.

I have always understood that motors in residential appliances were likely to be damaged if they had it run on 72 volts for days at a time. I know that appliance motors have overload protection. But why would one intentionally let their household run during a brownout? Aren't there other things I am not thinking of right now that would not like 72 volts?

 

[texie]

Can anyone explain to me why a particular major residential backup generator manufacturer sets their automatic transfer switch to hang in until line voltage dips below 60%????? Isn't that awfully low? When I installed a 20 kW unit to backup our IT department at the office and I found this out, I added a programmable Siemens voltage detection relay to cut out at 90%. Am I the only one concerned about this? Do other manufacturers have similar settings?

Just 1 of the many reasons to not use resi grade equipment for an application such as this. Most of the resi grade generator and transfer equipment leaves a lot to be desired. Seems to be getting worse as all the manufacturers of this stuff race to see who can be cheapest.